Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner is pretty routine for most people. But Thanksgiving with a fresh -- rather than frozen -- turkey would add a small twist.

Youth members of Tooele County's FFA and 4-H programs have been raising turkeys since mid-July with the intent of auctioning them off this Thanksgiving at the county's second annual turkey auction at Tooele High School.

"The kids have participated for along time in the state turkey show up in Tremonton," said Grant Peterson, the event's committee chairman.

However, with nearly 100 youth participants and an allowance of two birds per person, the number of birds up for auction can be huge.

"Typically, only a total of 30 or 40 birds sell each year," Peterson said. "Since the kids may or may not get in and sell a bird at the state show, we thought 'why don't we start up a show at the county level.'"

In its first year, the turkey auction only brought in 24 participants, but this year that number has been upped to 40.

"We're up 70 percent in terms of student involvement from last year," Peterson said.

The birds aren't sold live, but instead the youth raisers have the opportunity to help with the processing at a USDA inspected processing plant in Box Elder County.

"The goals of the FFA and the 4-H program are similar," Peterson said. "To help students develop premiere leadership, personal growth and career success."

Peterson said that this event helps youth develop these qualities.

Area businesses as well as the general public are invited. The event will be held on Nov. 20, in the THS cafeteria, with a dinner and auction starting at 7 p.m.

"A business owner or individual can come to the auction and buy a bird whether to benefit employees, a charity, or them personally," Peterson said.

When donating a bird to the local food bank of the Community Action Program, donors are not only helping the kids, but they are helping others as well, Peterson added.

Proceeds go back to the youth who raised the turkey.

All contributions will be readily accepted.